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Cricket explained
Clear answers to the questions fans actually search for.
Net run rate explainedNet run rate (NRR) is the average runs a team scores per over minus the average runs it concedes per over, across all its matches in a tournament. Teams level on points are ranked by NRR, so a bigger win lifts it more than a narrow one.The DLS method explainedThe Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method sets a fair revised target when rain shortens a limited-overs match. It treats overs remaining and wickets in hand as a batting resource, and compares the resources each team had.T20, ODI and Test cricket comparedT20 gives each side 20 overs and lasts about three hours. A One Day International (ODI) gives each side 50 overs and lasts a full day. A Test match is played over up to five days, with two innings per team and no over limit.How to read a cricket scorecardA score written 245/6 means the batting team has made 245 runs and lost 6 wickets. The number in brackets, such as (48.2), is the overs bowled so far, where .2 means two balls into the 49th over.Strike rate, economy rate and averagesBatting strike rate is runs per 100 balls. Economy rate is runs conceded per over. Batting average is runs divided by dismissals. Bowling average is runs conceded divided by wickets taken.The LBW rule explainedA batter is out leg before wicket (LBW) when the ball, not already hit by the bat, strikes the batter on the body and would have gone on to hit the stumps. The ball must not have pitched outside leg stump.